One man is dead and another critically injured after being hit by a car while cycling on Highway 207 in Lauderdale County, about one mile north of Anderson Monday.

One bicyclist was taken by ground ambulance to the hospital in Athens, and was pronounced dead. Troopers identified the man as 40-year-old James Keith Green of Rogersville.

The other bicyclist was taken by air ambulance to Huntsville Hospital. Family members identified him as Mannon Rogers, and said he is in critical condition.

An emergency management technician at the scene said a third cyclist was riding with the other two and was able to walk away because the two men were riding behind her.

Green and Rogers were on the ride in support of their friend, Melissa Moore, who was hit by a car while cycling one year ago, less than two miles from where Monday's crash occurred.

Coy Middlebrooks responded to the scene Monday. Incidentally, he had also responded to Moore's crash the year before.

"She told me today that she didn't want to go riding," said Middlebrooks. "She was scared because it's dangerous out there and she said the boys said they'd ride behind her and protect her."

"If they hadn't been right behind her, she would have gotten hit again," he added.

State Troopers are still investigating the crash. They said they do not believe the driver was drinking or speeding.

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